When Julian finds out that his dad has always wanted snakes for a birthday present, he realizes he'll need more than good intentions--he'll need courage.

"Marty Laone, new boy in third grade, is good at math but so bad at gym that he's always picked last. He spends most of (his time) plotting to escape the dreaded class--until a teacher and fellow classmate let him know that he's not alone. . . . This is distinguished by Duffey's skill in making Marty's inner feelings ring true".--Kirkus Reviews.

It isn't easy being Julian's younger brother. When Huey wants to study animal tracks with Julian and his friend Gloria, Julian tells him he's too young. But he's not a little kid. He's six years old and he's an adventurer, a chef, a tracker, a scout--and much more!

Now in "Knopf Paperback--"six genial, affectionate evocations of family interaction and childhood mischief. There's a glow here that's hard to resist."-- "Booklist

In the third book of the American history cluster, Jack and Annie are whisked to a midwestern prairie in the 1870's where they visit a school, learn about pioneer life and run from a twister. Illustrations.

In this second volume in Deborah Hopkinson's saga of a family's first year in Bleeding Kansas, Papa is off in Lawrence defending the town from Missouri border ruffians, and it's up to Charlie to take care of his family in their remote cabin--with a violent prairie blizzard blowing in. Illustrations.

When his best friend, Gloria, receives a new bicycle, seven-year-old Julian spends the summer avoiding her because of his fear of bikes.

Nate the Great is about to enter his dog, Sludge, in the smartest pet contest. But when the prize disappears, Nate and Sludge search for clues so the contest can go on.

In this gripping medieval page-turner, Roger and his sister Alice are kidnapped and held for ransom in an ancient tower. To escape and find their uncle, the children must summon all their courage and imagination. "Designed as easy-reading material for middle-graders, this has the virtues of an attractive format and illustrations, a fast plot, and even a feminist fillip: Alice is the more intrepid ...

All aboard the Owl Express! Nate, the great detective, and his dog Sludge, hit the rails on their latest case. Their mission: To guard an owl named Hoot. Hoot belongs to Nate's cousin, Olivia Sharp, and she thinks someone on the train might be out to get her feathered friend. But "whooo? Sludge keeps an eye on the owl's cage while Nate snoops for clues. Then Hoot disappears! With many suspects to ...

Bobby Quinn is shy. In fact, he's so shy, he has trouble making friends. But that changes when he gets a squirmy little puppy for his birthday. Unlike Bobby, Lucy isn't shy at all. And to his surprise, she keeps dragging him into all sorts of adventures--and friendships, too! In this heart warming story of a boy and beagle's friendship, Ilene Cooper begins the series that has charmed young readers ...

Rich, descriptive terms fill these pages as fully as the flood that carries Hector away. Though threatened by a dangerous situation, Hector's can-do spirit and resourceful attitude send readers cheering for his success. Quality early chapter writing.

In this companion to "Summer Pony," Ginny finally has the pony she has always dreamed of, and now she and Mokey are looking forward to a winter full of new adventures. Now with all-new illustrations, this classic tale is back in print after more than 20 years.

This adaptation makes the basic story of the classic novel accessible for younger readers.

When Stanley Lambchop wakes up one morning, his brother, Arthur, is yelling. A bulletin board fell on Stanley during the night, and now he is only half an inch thick. Soon, amazing things begin happening to him.

The principal of Jill and Gwen's school is on the roof honoring his promise that he'd spend the day there if the kids read 1,000 books during their marathon. He's even planning to read the story Gwen wrote. But he's going to fall off the roof if he doesn't stop sneezing. Fletcher and his flea pal, Jasper, know that Gwen wouldn't trick the principal with sneezing powder just to make her story come ...

Annie's dog is unhappy. When Fang is unhappy, everyone is unhappy. Especially Nate the Great. So Nate agrees to sniff out Fang's mysteriously missing Christmas mail. It's cold and snowy. But Nate the Great and his dog, Sludge, will try to solve this holiday case in time for Fang to have a crunchy, munchy Christmas.

Beginning readers are introduced to the detective mystery genre in these chapter books. Perfect for the Common Core, kids can problem-solve with Nate, using logical thinking to solve mysteries! Rosamund's baseball team has a very unusual second base--Oliver's gloopy purple plastic octopus. But one morning . . . it's gone! Nate the Great must pick up clues so he can find the missing octopus and go ...